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(Iowa) -- The University of Northern Iowa will lead a new multi-million dollar initiative to increase science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM, education in rural elementary schools.
The nearly $5 million dollar grant is being awarded from the National Science Foundation and will go toward funding the National STEM Teacher Corps, which will focus on supporting rural elementary STEM teachers, studying the most effective ways to train teachers in the science field, and building a network of STEM teachers. As part of the program,18 teachers committed to increasing STEM education in rural elementary schools will receive a $12,000 stipend annually for four years as well as mentorship and professional development.
UNI will partner with the University of Kansas, the University of Minnesota, and Iowa State University on the project. The award period extends through September 30th of 2030.